Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-07

She gazed ut him. and then broke in
to avacant laugh.
"When is he coming?" she asked.
Very soon. dear" Dr. Dwire ans
wered.
I'VE are to be married." she said, in
exactly the same tone rs she had spok
en- before-a strange high pitched tone
not loud. but monotonous and without
variation. IL shall be his wife soon,
and then | shall get away from all
these people. Look! Here they come
more and more. 1t is so hot and
crowded, and they keep coming, and
coming and comingi'
Dr. Dwire's fears were increasing.
Betty, fetch the child he whisper
ed Surely she will remember her
baby.
As Betty crossed the room with the
infant in her arms. it awoke, uttering
piteous cry. LYDIA threw up her
hands imploringly. while a look of hor-
ror crept into the soft dark eyes.
'Oh, take it away she exclaimed.
Il cant bear it! can't sleep for it!
1t makes my head throb-throb.
Please take it away"
Then she bowed her face in her
hands. utter NC inarticuate sounds.
DR.. Dwire dropped on his knees by
the bed.
Lydia, Lydiar' he cried. my
poor child, don't you remember me-
Dorien? See--I am here, beside you.
Try and remembern'
At the thrilling tone she started and
gazed wildly about her, as one awaking
from horr bic dream.
"Dorienr she cried out gladly. Il
heard your voice-it was no imagining
but how came l here? | do not un-
! derstand.
Without waiting for reply, she bent
toward him with startled expression.
"You are so changed, Dorien! Your
hair is gray-you-you look old!'
II have suffered. LYDIA he gravely
said.
'My poor Dorien! Oh, can you ever
forgive me? For have suffered too
and repented.
Lydia, l forgave you from the
first" he answered gently, 1.-The anger
in my heart was all for him."
For whom?" Her voice and face
were full of bewildermenL Il do not
understand My head seems dazed"
The man. Lydia, to whom you gave
your love" he answered, a tremor in
his voice.
"AIy love. Dor en-. though | did not
know it when | wrote that letter.
learned too late that never loved but
you"
Lydia! Can it be true? But-but
Allan Courtney"
''Oh. forgive me, Dorien. His flat
terry caused me to doubt my affection
for you; but | never faneed myself in
love with him. lie went abroad. did
he not?'
Lydia, is it possible that you have
not been his companion?' he cried in
amazement.
Dorienr' she exclaimed, flushing
painfully. "How could you think that
OF me?"
Forgive me, dear-but how could
help it when YOU came back with your
babe in your arms!'
"My babee What do you mcan' |
have no child. And how came | here
if you did not fetch me? The last. thing
l remember was the railway accident. ="
Doriens heart was throbbing, but he
forced himself to speak calmly.
Tell me all about it. Lydia, and let
us get at the bott ON OF this mystery.
You certainly had child with you
when you wandered here. "
ut must be Mrs. Clandon's. !
travelled with her as companion. ] was
holding baby and looking out at tn t
beautiful country through which we
were pass nc. when that terrific crash
occurred. And | remember nothing
more until heard your voice. Dorien.'
Who could have described Dr.
Dwirc's feelings as he listened? Lydia,
whom he had ever loved. was worthy
OF his affection.
Lydia" he said, clasping her hands
in his, you said but now that you
loved me. We have both suffered Let
us waste no more time, but take our
happiness when we can. VIII you be
my wifc?"
She hung her head in blushing lence
and thus was renewed the betrothal Of
years before.
There is little more to tell except that
DR.. Dwire and Lyd a, being quietly
married in the Little stone chapel at
Darlington, Immediately sat about re-
storing the babe to her mother. That
she was received with great JOY may
well be imagined.
1.-The god. benevolently minglc q
drop of worm-wood in every cup oil